Jigawa Flags Off N1 Billion 2nd Phase Of Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Jigawa state government has, as part of its efforts to empower its civil servants and public office holders, launched the second phase of workers’ agricultural support programme for the 2025 farming season.

Under the second phase of the programme, a total 5, 750 civil servants and public office holders are expected to benefit from a total of N1.2 billion worth of fertilizer and other farming implements.

Recall that the state government launched the first phase of the programme in 2024 involving over 8,820 civil servants and public office holders to the tune of over N3 billion.

Governor Umar Namadi, while flagging off the distribution of the materials at the premises of the Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company, (JASCO) in Dutse on Monday, said the exercise was in line with the administration’s commitment to empowering its workers to be self-reliant and economically independent.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, the governor said the administration accord higher premium on agriculture as the mainstay of the state economy with majority of its citizens depending on it for their livelihoods.

“However, despite its importance, many government’s workers have continued to face challenges in achieving food security, due to factors such as inflation, limited resources and restricted access to agricultural inputs.

“It is in recognition of these challenges a d the importance of food security to the well-being and productivity of our workforce that the state government introduce the programme, which is a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to improving the livelihood of our civil servants and sustaining our Agricultural Transformation in line with this government’s 12-Point agenda.”

He noted that while the government appreciated the positive feedback from the beneficiaries of the first phase of the programme, leading to the launch of the second phase, he governor hoped that the second phase would record similar success, noting, “We have expectations that this year’s implementation will even surpass the success of the previous phase in terms of impact and efficiency.”

The Head of the State Civil Service, Muhammad Kandira Dagaceri said the initiative by the state government had brought great relief to the state civil servants.

Dagaceri, who chairs the Implementation Committee of the programme appealed to the beneficiaries to ensure that they faithfully repay the soft loans so as to enable the programme to endure to pave the way for more civil servants to benefit from the gesture.

Technical Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, Dr. Saifullahi Musa, emphasized the significance of the second phase, stating that it would not only consolidate the gains of the first phase but also extend support to previously unreached beneficiaries. He praised the transparency and efficiency that have characterized the program’s implementation.

Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), lauded the state government’s continued efforts to prioritize workers’ welfare, and pledged their support to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.